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Norway's Waters

A big part of what makes Norway such a spectacular travel destination is its many majestic fjords. However, there are also many lakes, rivers, as well as the ocean coast, that contribute to Norway being over 6 percent water. If you are interested in visiting Norway and seeing the fjords or any of the other great water features that the country has to offer, then you will need to know where to look and what to do. Here is how you can best explore Norway’s waters.
Written by
The Fjord Tours team
3 min readUpdated: Feb 27, 2026
Fjord kayaking in Jondal on a beautiful summer day in the Hardangerfjord

Go on a Catamaran Cruise

If you like a dash of luxury in your travels, then going on a catamaran cruise is perhaps the best way to explore Norway’s waters. On the fjord cruise from Bergen to Mostraumen, you will get a close-up view of the historic harbor basin in Bergen before leisurely sailing through pristine waters alongside incredible fjords until you arrive at the towering mountain landscape surrounding Mostraumen strait.
While on the catamaran, you can enjoy kicking back on the sundeck while taking in the gorgeous fjord scenery.
A fun and speedy RIB boat tour on the Sognefjord to Finnabotn

Experience a RIB-Boat Adventure

For someone who craves a little more adventure in their exploration of Norway’s waters, this fjord safari with RIB-boat in Balestrand is a great opportunity.
After a safety briefing and distribution of special survival suits, you are then transported on a scenic cruise around Balestrand and its harbor before being thrust out to the open water where the adventure suddenly becomes a high-speed cruise speeding past gorgeous skerries and islands. It is a great way to be exposed to many different sights while doing so in a way that really gets your adrenaline pumping.
A white sailboat with "NOR 10144" glides on calm waters with reflections, passing a coastal city with green mountains in the background.

Relax on a Sailboat Cruise

If you are environmentally conscious, then you are going to want a more green way of exploring the waters around Bergen and the rest of the country.
One of the best ways to do this is the sailboat cruise in Bergen. This cozy cruise experience allows you to get a spot on a comfortable sailing boat and then explore areas like Vågen, Old Bergen, and much more, all while enjoying the interesting stories of Bergen’s history recited by your sailboat captain.
Kayaker in yellow kayak paddling through clear waters, surrounded by cliffs with greenery and mountains under blue sky.

Splash Around on a Kayaking Trip

If you participate in a guided kayaking trip on the Nærøyfjord you will experience the silence on the water and the magnificent nature surrounding you. On the narrow UNESCO fjord,you get a beautiful view of small mountain farms, and if you are lucky you can see goats relaxing by the fjord and seals playing on the rocks. Midway on the tour, your guide will find a nice place to stop for lunch. It is nice to get a chance to relax and enjoy the surrounding scenery and get served some stories about the daily life in and around the fjord.
Regardless of which type of adventure you choose, you will have plenty of opportunities to form some lifelong memories of Norway’s incredible waters and its surrounding scenery. So make sure that you book your sailboat cruise, catamaran cruise, kayak trip, or RIB-boat adventure today by contacting our team.

Most popular fjord cruises in Norway

Discover Norway's iconic fjords - from UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord and Geirangerfjord to hidden Hardangerfjord, dramatic Lysefjord, and vast Sognefjord. Enjoy steep mountainsides and cascading waterfalls, or explore Oslo's beautiful archipelago and Bergen's historic coastal waters.
Cozy glass-fronted waterfront restaurant glowing warmly at twilight, reflections shimmering on calm water surface.
Fjord cruise and dinner at Cornelius
Bergen • 5 hr
No available price
Available all year
Tourists on fjord cruise on the Oslofjord pass historic Akershus fortress at sunset.
Fjord cruise in Oslo
Oslo • 2 hr
No available price
Available all year
Large catamaran with passengers sails past snowy peaks in cold waters.
Silent whale watching cruise in Tromsø
Tromsø • 9 hr
No available price
16 October - 31 January
Bestseller
Silent fjord cruise in Geiranger
Geiranger • 2 hr
No available price
15 May - 30 September
Bestseller
Fjord cruise Ålesund - Geiranger - Ålesund
Ålesund • 10 hr
No available price
1 April - 12 October
Tourists enjoy a fjord view with mirror-like water and snowy peaks.
Fjord & glacier tour from Balestrand
Balestrand
No available price
20 May - 30 September
Modern boat reflects snowy fjord cliffs in curved windows.
Trollfjord cruise in Lofoten
Svolvær • 3 hr 30 min
No available price
1 February - 31 October
Elegant table setting with wine and food aboard cruise boat
Bestseller
Dinner cruise on the Oslofjord
Oslo • 2 hr 30 min
No available price
Available all year
Tourists on the boat deck on the winter cruise on the Geirangerfjord surrounded by a beautiful world heritage landscape
Geirangerfjord winter cruise
Ålesund • 9 hr 15 min
No available price
1 November - 31 March
A couple stands on the ship's deck, watching the Northern Lights over the mountains, with city lights reflected in the water.
Electric Northern Lights cruise
Tromsø • 3 hr
No available price
1 November - 2 April
A ship under the Northern Lights, floating on calm Arctic waters.
Overnight Northern Lights and Whale Safari Expedition
Multiple locations • 1 day
No available price
2 November - 31 January
Fortress and historic buildings overlook water with city skyline in background under clouds.
Oslo grand tour with fjord cruise
Oslo • 7 hr
No available price
1 May - 31 October
Woman in yellow beanie takes photo from boat deck with snowy mountains behind.
Arctic fjord cruise in Tromsø
Tromsø • 4 hr
No available price
1 September - 2 April
White hybrid-electric cruise boat sailing through Oslofjord waters with autumn-colored forested hills
Silent fjord cruise on the Oslofjord
Oslo • 2 hr 30 min
No available price
All year
Three boys cheering on a boat deck in a narrow fjord with green cliffs.
Fjord sightseeing in Geiranger - 75 minutes
Geiranger • 1 hr 15 min
No available price
1 April - 20 October
People on boat raise arms watching northern lights.
Northern Lights cuisine cruise in Tromsø
Tromsø • 3 hr
No available price
11 September - 3 April
Fresh seafood platter with oysters, clams, and sea urchin on ice, served elegantly at sophisticated indoor event.
Fjord cruise and shellfish tower at seafood restaurant
Bergen • 5 hr
No available price
Available all year
Aerial view shows Preikestolen's dramatic position above Lysefjord
Summer favorite
Lysefjord cruise and hike to Preikestolen
Stavanger • 12 hr
No available price
1 May - 30 September
Sea eagle cruise to Trollfjord from Svolvær in Lofoten - sunset boat tour through dramatic Norwegian Arctic fjords
Trollfjord Cruise & Sea Eagle safari
Svolvær • 3 hr
No available price
Available all year
Aerial view of dramatic Hjørundfjord with steep mountains and green valleys
Hjørundfjord cruise from Ålesund
Ålesund • 5 hr
No available price
Available all year

See all tours

Experience the best of Norway's most scenic fjords and natural highlights. Our Nutshell tours include fjord cruises, famous railways and breathtaking fjord and mountain nature. Travel in a day, or add extra days and activities to create your perfect Norwegian holiday. Explore our bestselling tours below.

Woman in yellow sweater leans from green train window, gazing at autumn forest landscape.
Flexible itinerary
The classic journey
Norway in a Nutshell®
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See the highlights: UNESCO Nærøyfjord, Flåm and Bergen Railway
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From 1 day · Add extra nights
-
Start in Oslo or Bergen
-
Available year-round
From 2698 NOK
Boat on Sognefjord with flag flying, wake trailing behind on calm water.
Flexible itinerary
Slow & comfortable
Sognefjord in a Nutshell™
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Cruise Norway's longest fjord at a relaxed pace
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From 1 day · Add extra nights
-
Start in Oslo or Bergen
-
Available April – October
From 2745 NOK
Grass-roof cabins on hillside overlook fjord, waterfall, peaks.
Flexible itinerary
Fjords, coast & alpine views
Geirangerfjord in a Nutshell™
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UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord, coastal scenery, and alpine mountains
-
From 2 days · Add extra nights
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Start in Oslo or Bergen
-
Available June – September
From 5968 NOK
Person in outdoor gear on the Preikestolen, overlooking the Lysefjord , sky reflections
Active adventure
Lysefjord in a Nutshell™
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Cruise the Lysefjord, hike the famous Preikestolen & explore Stavanger
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From 2 days · Add extra nights
-
Available May – September
-
Start from Bergen, Oslo or Stavanger
From 3660 NOK
Turquoise fjord with cruise ships, forested mountains and snow.
Flexible itinerary
With Norway in a Nutshell®
Fjords, coast & mountains
Geirangerfjord and Norway in a Nutshell®
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Geirangerfjord plus Norway’s most famous scenic route, Trollstigen
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From 3 days · Add extra nights
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Start in Oslo or Bergen
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Available June – September
From 9672 NOK
standing at the scenic viewpoint overlooking the dramatic 182-meter Vøringsfossen waterfall cascading into the valley
Flexible itinerary
Bookings for 2027 open soon
Fjords & waterfalls
Hardangerfjord in a Nutshell™
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The calmer side of fjord Norway and the roaring Vøringsfossen waterfall
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From 1 day · Add extra nights
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Start in Bergen · Round trip
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Available May – September
From 1991 NOK